Gopa Sabharwal's tenure as vice-chancellor of Nalanda University comes to an end on Thursday with President Pranab Mukherjee dissolving the governing board and overruling its decision last month to extend Sabharwal's tenure, sources told The Telegraph.

The President, who is the Visitor of Nalanda University, has given his approval for constitution of a new governing board as per section 7 of the Nalanda University Act, 2010.

Sabharwal's tenure is set to expire on November 24, but the governing board at its meeting held on October 14 had decided to appoint her as acting vice-chancellor with effect from November 25 for a period of one year or until the new VC assumes office, whichever is earlier.

A member of the dissolved governing board, who spoke to The Telegraph under cover of anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to the media, said: "The governing board at its meeting last month decided to give an extension to the VC till the fresh appointment of VC is made, but with the President dissolving the governing board and overruling the decision to grant extension to the VC, Sabharwal's tenure is set to expire on November 24."

The governing board member also stated that the university has received a letter in this connection from the ministry of external affairs which states that the senior-most dean of the varsity should be appointed as acting VC, till a final choice is made. University sources said that in such a situation Pankaj Mohan, the seniormost dean from the School of Historical Studies, could be made acting VC.

University sources said the decision to give an extension to Sabharwal by governing board members was taken a fortnight before Nalanda University issued an advertisement for appointment of a new VC. Sources said the governing board decided to give an extension to Sabharwal on October 14, but the advertisement was issued on November 1.

On September 1, 2014, the university started its first academic session from Rajgir around 15km from the ruins of the ancient seat of learning and 110km southeast of Patna. Eleven students - three from the School of Historical Studies and eight from the School of Ecology and Environment Studies - became a part of history by being the first to attend classes at the new university.

There are three schools - School of Historical Studies, School of Ecology and Environment Studies and School of Buddhist Studies, Philosophy and Comparative Religions. There are around 225 students studying at the three schools. The faculty strength is around 25 at all three schools.